Cushioning device



Jan. 17, 1933. D. F. SPROUL I 1,894,716

GUSHIONING DEVICE Filed June 20. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 17, 1933. SPROUL 1,894,716

CUSHIONING DEVICE Filed June 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATZE-S PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD F. SPROUL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO CARDWELL WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE GUSHIONING DEVICE 4 The invention relates more particularly to cushioning devices for supporting the bolsters of railway cars, though applicable to other situations.

The objects of the invention will be'understood in connection with the description of the device. A

In the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed, and

Fig. 1 isa central longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 shows in perspective a group of various elements of the device;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, showing a modified form of construction.

Between a pair of end followers, as 10, 11, there is interposed a spring barrel 12, the inner surface of which is cylindrical in form for engagement by a plurality of friction; shoes, as 13, 14. These shoes are segmental in form, and, as shown, are four in number.

Interposed between the shoes is a compressible block of rubber or similar material. A pair of instanding flanges 16, 17, is formed on each shoe to inclose the block 15, which is faced, transversely of the axis of the device, by a'pair of plates 18, 19, of steel or similar material, these plates-fitting snugly between the faces of the block and the shoulders of the flanges 16, 17.

A thrust element 20 projects inwardly from one of the followers, as 10, and, as shown, is an integral part thereof, this element hearing upon one of the metal plates, as 19. A spring seat 21 bears against the remaining plate 18, and between it and the opposing follower 11 thereis interposed a spiral spring 22. A retaining bolt 23 sets through the element 20, an instanding boss 24 of the follower 11, the metal plates 18, 19, the block-15, and the spring seat, and serves not only as means for holding the various parts of the device in assembly but also for regulating its initial tension.

Upon \the application of compressive force to the device the followers 10, 11, are caused to relatively approach against the resistance of the spring 12, the block 15 is compressed 1931. Serial No. 545,645.

axially against the resistance of the spring 22, this compression causing it to tend to expand radially and urge the shoes 13, 14, against the friction surface of the spring 12, these shoes being carried forward by the axial movement of the block 15 and its inclosing plates and friction being developed increasingly between the shoes and the spring barrel as the compression proceeds.

Smoothness of, action is secured and the initial resistance is easily regulated by shortening or lengthening the bolt 23 to adapt the device to the particular service for which it is installed.

The shoes are arranged'in pairs, those of each pair being diametrically opposite. Two pairs of shoes are shown, but the invention is not limited thereto.

- While a spring seat is shown as interposed between the spring 22 and the plate 18, it is obvious that the action would be the same if the separate spring seat were omitted, the plate 18 serving as such.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the elements of the device and their relative arrangement are the same as in the form already described, except for comparatively slight changes as hereinafter pointed out.

The thrust element 20 is shortened to the form shown at 25, and is normally out of contact with the top plate 18, a helical spring 26 being introduced between the follower plate 10 and the plate 18. A spring seat 27 may be interposed between the spring 26 and the plate 18, but without changing the action of the device, and might be entirely omitted if the elements were so proportioned that the spring would enter between the flanges 16 of the several friction plates. As shown, the spring seat 27 is reduced in diameter adjacent its lower face in order that it'may enter between the flanges.

The boss 28, extending inwardly from the lower follower plate at 11, is of greater length than the boss 24.v The spring 22 which supports the block 15 is the same in both forms of construction.

'In operation depression of. the follower 12, 22 and 26, plus some slight friction developed between the turns of the spring 12 and the friction shoes by reason of the compression of the spring. If the force applied be suflicient to cause the thrust element 25 to engage the spring seat 27, the friction shoes are carried downwardly against the frictional resistance developed between them and the outer spring, this resistance being gradually augmented by the tendency of the block 15 to expand laterally as it is compressed axially.

In the appended claims the spring seats 21 and 27 are treated as parts of the plates 18 and 19.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a cushioning device, in combination, a pair of followers, a spring barrel reacting therebetween and having an interior friction face, friction shoes in engagement with such face and each having interior spaced segmental flanges, an expansible block interposed between the shoes and located between the flanges, a pair of metal plates applied to the opposite faces of the block, a thrust member interposed between one of the followers and one of the plates, a spring seat engaging the other plate, and a spring reacting between the seat and the other follower.

2. In a cushioning device, in combination, a pair of followers, a spring barrel reacting therebetween and having an interior friction face, friction shoes in engagement with such face and each having interior spaced segmental flanges, an eXpansible block interposed between the shoes and located between the flanges, a pair of metal plates applied to the opposite faces of the block, and a pair of springs reacting between the plates and the followers.

3. In a cushioning device, in combination, a pair of opposed followers, a spring barrel reacting therebetween and having internal friction faces, friction shoes cooperating with the faces and having instanding relatively spaced segmental flanges, an expansible block interposed between the shoes and located between the flanges, a pair of metal plates applied to the opposite faces of the block, helical springs reacting between the plates and the followers, and a thrust element projecting from one follower and being engageable with the adjacent plate after the initial inward movement of the follower.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

DONALD F. SPROUL; 

